When thinking of a picnic, one most often conjures up the image of a romantic 1-on-1 atmosphere with a quaint picnic basket, a little wine, and some cheese and crackers. Larger group picnics, however, have been an extremely popular social event for quite some time now. Whether its a family reunion, a company picnic, or simply a day in the park with friends, large group picnics offer a great way to spend a day with those you care about.
Let's take a look at how you can best plan for your next group picnic:
First off, you'll have to put yourself in the mindset similar to that of
throwing a successful tailgate party. Tailgates and group picnics have quite a bit of similarities (minus the actual tailgate of the truck or SUV!). There are 4 key elements to creating the perfect group picnic:
Planning,
Packing,
Execution, and
Clean Up. Let's dive a little deeper into each element.
Planning: This is by far the most important element of a group picnic. As always, the more prepared you are, the better your group picnic will turn out! Be sure to keep in mind the following questions:
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What is the purpose of the Picnic? -- Be sure to determine what the overall reason for having the picnic. Is it a work function or a family/friends function? A lot of key decisions will be based on this important point.
Games you play, food/drink you serve, and much more depend on who will actually be at the picnic and what you want them to get out of this event. Once you have this info nailed down, you can begin to dig deeper into your planning stages.
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How many people will be attending? -- The difference between a company-wide picnic extravaganza and a get-together of a few friends can be enormous. This number will affect pretty much every decision you make. Keep this number in mind when you go through the following questions.
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Where will the Picnic be located? -- Location, location, location! The spot you choose for the picnic could make or break your event. Will there be enough room for everyone? Get recommendations from others on where a good spot may be. Then, visit the locations ahead of time so you can scope out any possible obstacles. This will also give you a head start on envisioning the setup. Also, if necessary, make sure you book the space plenty in advance. The last thing you want is to show up and your ideal spot is already occupied! Finally, keep the weather in mind when planning a location.
Packing: Now that everything is planned, let's make it happen. Packing takes some ingenuity and imagination.
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What should we bring? -- Key items include: Food, Drink,
Picnic Baskets, Plates/Cups/Utensils, Napkins, ICE,
Coolers,
Chairs and Tables (if furniture is not already at the site), Trash Bags,
games, etc...
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Is everything logistically possible? -- Now that you have everything you need, make sure you can actually get it to your picnic area! Determine whether you will be able to fit all of your items (listed above) in your vehicle. Also, once you get there, make sure you can transport all of your picnic items with ease. Don't forget to ask for help!
Execution: It's time to make this picnic happen!
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How will we set everything up? -- Based on the information that you've gathered above, you should already have an idea of how everything should work. Once you get there, be sure you know where to put everything before unpacking. Be sure to keep the games and activities away from the food. Also, if possible, try to place the food and drink, as well as the seating, in the shade.
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What is the schedule of events? -- Depending on they type of picnic, the schedule of events may vary. If its just a casual gathering, then no need to stick to a timetable. If its a corporate event, then it is wise to know when food will be served, when games begin, and especially when to wrap it up.
Clean Up: Full Success! Now that you've thrown the greatest group picnic ever, its time to clean up.
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Am I leaving with everything I came with? -- When packing up, make sure you have packed everything. Scan the picnic site to make sure none of your equipment (or your guests valuables) have been left.
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Did I leave the picnic site the way I found it? -- Be sure to thoroughly clean up after yourself and others. How would you like it if you showed up to your picnic site and it was littered with trash? Be a courteous picnicker!
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When should I unpack? -- Immediately! Once you get back from your picnic, you may be exhausted and want to just relax. However, be sure to clean up as soon as possible. Put away any leftover food, clean off your picnic equipment, and move everything back into storage. Trust us, it'll be worth it in the end!
There you have it! You are now ready to throw an amazing group picnic. Please feel free to leave any tips or tricks that you've learned along the way!
